BRENNECKE FAMILY NOTES

THE ROUTE TO AMERICA

The route the Brenneckes followed to America was the same one taken by the several immigrant families that preceded them from the Sebexen, Germany area. Research by John Rasche shows they sailed from Bremen on the Bark (small three-masted ship) Diana, arriving in New Orleans on Nov. 11, 1844. They then traveled up the Mississippi to Cape Girardeau and west to where they settled, equidistant between Tilsit and Jackson, Missouri. The ship's list includes August, a weaver from Hannover, his wife Minnie (Wilhelmine), and six children by name: Heinrich, Friedrich, Wilhelm, Louise, Carl, and Caroline. Another child had stayed in Germany and one had died earlier. The following is the passenger list for the Bark Diana. It was transcribed by Rudy Nothdurft. The Brenneckes are numbered 144 through 151 of 163 passengers.

DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI, PORT OF NEW-ORLEANS.
--------------------------
I, He Bayer Master or Commander of Bremen Bark Diana do solemnly, sincerely and truly swear, that the within List, signed by me, and now delivered to the Collector of this District, contains the names of all Passengers taken on board the said Bark Diana at the Port of Bremen or at any time since, and that all matters therein set forth are according to the best of my knowledge and belief just and true, I do further swear that none of the Passengers have died on the voyage.

SWORN BEFORE ME, this 11th day of Nov 1844.

COLLECTOR,
Hern. Bayer (or Baeyer)

List of all passengers taken on board the bark Diana whereof Herren Bayer is Master, at the Port of Bremen and bound for New Orleans.
"do" = ditto

Country to
Country towhich they
which theyintend to
No. Name Age Sex Occupation belong inhabit

ZWRICHENDER
11. HEINR. CHRIST. KOTHE 52 Male Farmer do United States
12. CHRISTIANE do 46 Fem do do
13. WILHELMINE do 22 Fem do do
14. LOUISE do 18 Fem Onedo do
15. CHRISTIAN do 14 Male do do
16. ANTON do 11 Male Familydo do
17. JOHANNA do 6 Fem do do
18. CAROLINE do 3 Fem do do
19. CHRIST.ELIZABETH HANR.LINDEN 29 Fem maid servant HannoverUnited States
20. JOH. HEINRICH RIETHERS 39 Male wheel-wright do do
21. ELIZABETH do 38 Fem do do
22. JOH. CARL HEINRICH do 18 Male Onedo do
23. JOH. FRITZ. do 16 Male family do do
24. CAROLINE DOROTH.THERIFE do 11 Fem do do
25. HERMANN HAMBURG 31 Male Joiner do do
26. SOPHIE do 32 Fem do do
27. ANGNOSE do 8 Fem One do do
28. HERMANN do 1 1/2 Male Familydo do
29. JOH CHRISTIAN KRUGER 25 Male Farmer Brunswick do
30. JOH. HEINRICH PEETZ 20 Male Farmer Hannover do
31. JOH. HEINRICH BRINKMAN 31 Male Brewer Brunswick do
32. HEINRICH CONRAD TINHE 24 Male Weaver Hannover do
33. HEINRICH CONRAD GREBE 57 Male Labourer Brunswick do
34. DOROTHEA do 56 Fem do do
35. JOHANNE do 28 Fem Onedo do
36. FREIDRICK do 28 Male do do
37. JULIANE do 23 Fem familydo do
38. CAROLINE do 21 Fem do do
39. SOPHIE NOBEL 64 Fem to her husband Hannover do
40. AUGUST AHERNS 5 Male her grandson do do
41. HEINRICH SANDERS 48 Male Farmer Brunswick do
42. MARY do 47 Fem do do
43. JOHANN CHRIST. do 24 Male do do
44. FRIEDRICK do 16 Male Onedo do
45. JOHANNA FRIEDR. do 14 Fem do do
46. JOHANNA SOPHIA do 11 Fem Familydo do
47. JOHANNA do 7 Fem do do
48. LOUISE do 4 Fem do do
49. HEINR. ANTO. CHRIST.HUNCKE 43 Male Farmer Hannover do
50. CAROLINE do 30 Fem One do do
51. WILH. HEINRICH do 10 Male Familydo do
52. FRIEDR. CHRIST. do 6 Male do do
53. GEORG HEINR. ANDR. do 3 Male do do
54. CARL WILH. AUG. do 1 Male do do
55. JOHANN CHRIST. SANDER 47 Male Wheelwright Brunswick do
56. JOHANNI do 42 Fem do do
57. JOH. HEINRICH do 17 Male Onedo do
58. JOH. WILHELM do 6 Male family do do
59. JOH. JULIUS NOTHDURFT 40 Male Turner Hannover do
60. JOH. SOPHIE do 33 Fem do do
61. HEINR. WILH. DANIEL do 11 Male Onedo do
62. MARIE SOPHIE do 9 Fem do do
63. FRIEDR. WILHELM. do 7 Male Family do do
64. CARL WILH. AUGUST do 4 Male do do
65. PHILIPP F. ILLERS 39 Male do do
66. JOHANNA do 34 Fem do do
67. CARL do 11 Male do do
68. SOPHIE do 10 Fem do do
69. CAROLINE do 8 Fem One do do
70. WILHELM do 6 Male Familydo do
71. FRIEDRICK do 3 Male do do
72. LEONOLDINE do 1/2 Fem do do
73. HEINRICH SCHILLIG 42 Male Farmer do do
74. FRIEDERIKE do 43 Fem do do
75. SOPHIE do 19 Fem do do
76. GOTTLIEB do 17 Male Onedo do
77. HEINRICH do 15 Male do do
78. JULIE do 11 Fem Familydo do
79. JOHANNI do 6 Fem do do
80. CHRISTIAN FRIEDR. BOSSE 31 Male Blacksmith Brunswick do
81. CARL DAVID LORBORG 21 Male Builder and Hannover do
Carpenter
82. JOH. HEIRICH WILLER 28 Male Sailor do do
83. FRITZ LUDW. GROVERMANN 19 Male Merchant do do
84. JOSEPH GERICKE 38 Male Joiner do do
85. ELISABETH do 26 Fem do do
86. HEINRICH do 7 Male Onedo do
87. CAROLINE do 4 Fem Familydo do
88. HEINR. CHRIST. BIERSCHWALL 50 Male Weaver do do
89. JOH. DOROTHEA do 46 Fem do do
90. CHARALOTTE do 19 Fem Onedo do
91. CHRISTIAN do 15 Male do do
92. LOUISE do 8 Fem family do do
93. CONRAD do 6 Male do do
94. JOHANN HEINR. HENNIGS 26 Male Weaver do do
95. JOH. HEINR. ACATERMANN 38 Male Shepherd Brunswick do
96. JOHANNI MARIE do 17 Fem do do
97. WILHELM.HENRICHE do 11 Male do do
98. ELISABETH LOUISE do 9 Fem do do
99. SOPHIE do 7 Fem Onedo do
100.JOHANN HEINR. do 5 Male do do
101.CAROLINE do 3 Fem family do do
102.JOHANNI do 1/2 Fem do do
103.HEINRICH DAN. BRENNECKE 30 Male Turner do do
104.JOHANNE CATHER. do 35 Fem do do
105.HEINRICH FRIEDR. do 2 Male do do
106.HEINRICH SANDER 14 Male Foster son do do
107.CATHERINE SANDER 40 Fem Sister in law do do
108.JOHANNE do 10 1/2 Fem Daughter do do
109.JOHANNE DRUNNKE 28 Fem Servant girl do do
110.FRIEDRICH EBERECT 22 Male do do
111.JOAKIM HANS 66 Male Weaver do do
112.ANDREAS do 25 Male Sailor do do
113.CHRISTIAN KASS 41 Male Blacksmith do do
114.CHRISTINA do 42 Fem do do
115.CARL do 10 Male do do
116.FRIEDRICK BRANTKOPP 18 Male do do
117.HEINR.LUDW.HARTMANN 41 Male Wheel-wright do do
118.DOROTHEA do 43 Fem do do
119.HEINRICH do 25 Male Wheel-wright do do
120.JOHANNI CATHERINE do 25 Fem do do
121.PHILIPP do 20 Male Farmer do do
122.WILHELM do 16 Male do do
123.JOH.HEINRICH AHRENS 43 Male Shoemaker do do
124.JOH. LOUISE FRIED. do 33 Fem do do
125.HEINR.LUDW.CHRISTIAN do 7 Male do do
126.AUGUSTI LIPPEL 25 Fem Servant girl do do
127.JOH.CHRISTIAN MEYER 48 Male Brunswick United States
128.JOH. MARIE do 49 Fem do do
129.JOH. WILHELM. SOPHIE do 16 Fem One do do
130.JOH. CARL WILHELM do 11 Male do do
131.JOH. HEINR.AUGUST do 9 Male family do do
132.JOH. HEINR.FRITZE do 4 Male do do
133.HEINRICH FLENDGE 36 Male Joiner Hannover do
134.WILHELM do 15 Male do do
135.JOH.HEINRICH CLEVE 20 Male Turner Brunswick do
136.JOH.HEINR.CARL BOSE 41 Male Carpenter do do
137.JOHANNI LOUISE do 34 Fem do do
138.JOHANNI do 11 Fem do do
139.JOH.CARL CHRIST. PHILIPPS 23 Male Sailor do do
140.HEINRICH ALLERS 45 Male Labourer Hannover do
141.FRIEDR.THEODOR HERING 19 Male Merchant do do
142.HRINR.JOSEP. ANT.SANDERS 43 Male Weaver do do
143.FRIEDRICH do 47 Male Weaver do do
144.AUGUST BRENNECKE 44 Male Weaver do do
145.MINNIE do 38 Fem do do
146.HEINRICH do 16 Male do do
147.FRIEDRICH do 11Male Onedo do
148.WILHELM do 10 Male do do
149.LOUISE do 8 Fem Familydo do
150.CARL do 5 Male do do
151.CAROLINE do 3 Fem do do
152.HEINR.AUG.CASPER BLUMENBERG 29 Male Wheelwright do do
and miner
153.FRIEDR.WILH.LOHURMANN 19 Male Blacksmith Prussia do
154.HEINRICH BURGDORF 27 Male Farmer Hannover do
155.CHRISTIAN do 39 Male Farmer do do
156.MAGDALEN do 24 Fem do do
157.CHRISTIAN do 14 Male do do
158.DOROTHEA do 12 Fem do do
159.HENIRIETTE do 7 Fem do do
160.CAROLINE do 10 Fem do do
161.JOHANN GROVE 45 Male Hunter do do
162.AUG do 32 Fem do do
163.JOHANNI FRIED. do 10 Fem do do

CITIZENSHIP PAPERS

August applied for citizenship February 28, 1845, just three months after he arrived in America. Naturalization laws provided that a person must live in America five years. The official date on the Citizenship Certificate is December 18, 1850. The original copy of August's citizenship papers, was found among the personal papers of his son Jacob in the possession of Herb Schaper. It is now in the possession of Doris Davault.

The photo on this page is a copy of what is written on the reverse side of the quad-fold certificate. If folded, it would appear on the front as the title of the certificate. The certificate measurers approximately 12 1/2" x 7 1/2" You may also see other photos on the page.

This is the transcription of August's citizenship papers:

United States of America
State of Missouri
In the Circuit Court of
Cape Girardeau County,
November 1850

August Brennecke, a native of Europe, and formerly a subject to Ernest August, King of Hannover in Germany, appears in open Court, and applies to be admitted a citizen of the United States of America; and it appearing that said applicant on the twenty eighth day of February A.D., one thousand eight hundred and forty five, before the Clerk of this Court, filed his application under oath, of his intention to become citizen of the United States of America, and it further appearing to the satisfaction of the Court, from the oaths of Jacob Kneibert and James Smith who are all known to this Court, to be citizens of the United States, that said applicant for the last give years has resided within the limits, and under the jurisdiction of the United States, and the last year within the State of Missouri, and that during that time, he has behaved as a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same. Where upon the said August Brennecke declares on oath that he will support the Constitution of the United State of America, and that he doth entirely and absolutely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign Prince, Potentate, State, or Sovereignty whatever, and particularly to Ernest August King of Hannover of whom he was formerly a subject.

It is therefore ordered, that the said August Brennecke be admitted a citizen of the United States of America.
__________________________________________________________________________

The State of Missouri }
County of Cape Girardeau} ss

I, Henry Sanford, Clerk of the Circuit Court, within and for the County aforesaid, in the 10th Judicial Circuit of the Sate of Missouri, do hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true and perfect copy of the proceedings of the Circuit Court aforesaid, in admitting the said August Brennecke a citizen of the United States of America, as the same appears of record in said Circuit Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name, and affixed the seal of said Court, at office in the town of Jackson the 18th day of December in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and fifty. Hw. Sanford, Clerk, by Jacob Gobler

AUGUST AND WILHELMINE BRENNECKE HOME AND LAND

By: Doris Brennecke Davault

The August and Wilhelmine Brennecke home was located about one-fourth mile off County Road 335 (driving south from Tilsit, Mo.). The house stood on the left side of the gravel road - on a long ridge. All that remains to mark the place is a sunken spot where the old stone-walled cistern was. There is also a small pond which Grandpa Jacob "Jake" Brennecke said was a "Buffalo wallow."

About one-half mile farther from where the Brennecke home stood is the Karen (Schaper) and Shannon McCullough home - a part of the original Brennecke farm. This is about two miles northeast of Tilsit and two miles southwest of Jackson. The McCulloughs bought 60 acres of the original Brennecke farm February 10, 1977. Elmer Schaper, Karen (Schaper) McCullough's father, had purchased the land November 5, 1963, from his Uncle Albert and Aunt Bertha Schaper. They had purchased it earlier from Charles Schaper, Jr., who had purchased it from Jacob "Jake" Brennecke and his wife Henrietta (Peetz) Brennecke. Elmer sold it to his daughter Karen and her husband in 1977 and they are still living there (2002). (Some of the above information came from the Abstract of the McCullough's property.)

August Brennecke was the first owner of 160 acres of land between Jackson and Tilsit (mentioned above) - 120 acres in Section 21 and 40 acres in Section 20. August's son Henry (oldest son who came to America) was also the first owner of 40 acres in Section 20; Henry's land joined part of his father's acreage. (document labeled 2) August and Henry purchased their land from the Federal Government; the transactions were made with the Federal Government and payments were made on September 25, 1845. , and December 27, 1845, at the United States Land Office located in Jackson, Missouri. The handwritten transactions recorded in the Original Cape Girardeau County Tract Book located at the Archives in Jackson (These records are not in the Cape Girardeau County Court House.). (document labeled 3) Even though the actual purchases were made in September and December of 1845 the Federal Government Signature Date is March 1, 1848. It evidently took the papers over two years to arrive at the Government office in Washington, D.C., be processed, and brought back to Jackson. The typed 1848 records can be found on pages 30 and 32 in the book "Cape Girardeau Land purchases Township 31 N. Range 12 E." (document labeled 4)

At the time of this writing (March 2002) there are maps at the Archives in Jackson of all the "original land owners" in this area. They date back to the Spanish Land Grants in the 1700s through the 1850s. These maps are soon to be digitalized and easier to read and studied.

The "original 1845 handwritten records" of the purchases and the "1848 Signature dates" from Washington were just recently found (2002) by Brennecke relatives at the Archives in Jackson.

On March 10, 1856, Frederick Brennecke (son of August and Wilhelmine) and wife Catherine purchased 60 acres from Adam Heinrich. On April 18, 1866, Frederick Brennecke deeded the above 60 acres back to his mother Wilhelmine Brennecke.

August Brennecke died October 5, 1856, and the youngest son, Jacob "Jake", who was three years old when his father died, was still living with his mother on the home place when she died on March 20, 1871.

HERITAGE OF FAITH

OF THE AUGUST BRENNECKE FAMILY

AND ZION METHODIST CHURCH

By Doris Brennecke Davault

The story "Heritage of Faith" of the August Brennecke Family" begins in a faraway land of Germany during a difficult era of time for most of the inhabitants of that seriously overpopulated, war-torn, and politically oppressed land. In order to understand why our Brennecke ancestors and many other families came to America in the early to mid 1800's, we would need to look more into the period from 1814 to 1848. The book "Germany" by Hill may help explain in part the great German migration of our forefathers to the United States. Due to war and various political, social, economic, and religious reasons, our German forefathers came here seeking a better life for themselves. In the Citizenship Papers of August Brennecke (a copy can be found in this Brennecke History), he renounced allegiance to Ernst Augustus, King of Hannover. Because of the conditions in Germany, our Brennecke ancestors decided it was time to leave the problems of that country, and they told of their adventure to the new country.
Records show they were passengers on the vessel "Bark Diana" that arrived in the Port of New Orleans on November 11, 1844, and it had sailed from Bremen, Germany. Many arriving on that ship took steamboats up the Mississippi River to the free states. They were drawn north by their preference for a cooler climate, by their unwillingness to compete with slave labor, and by their opposition to slavery itself. There is no way to overstate the challenge and adversity of the trip across the ocean which brought the settlers of Zion Methodist Church and that community to their new home. This was the beginning of a "goodly heritage" in a new land and a new day.
Volume One of the book "Marching to Zion - A Descriptive and Pictorial History of Zion United Methodist Church" (Gordonville) was published in 1988 by a Committee of eleven from Zion United Methodist Church with Chief Editors Gene King and the Rev. Ron Dunavan; Volume Two was assembled locally in 1994-95 after more church history and records were found. These books give an account of a people, who by their own admission from the very start, "did not want to live in this new country without God, and without the study of the Bible." In addition, the books give additional information on the background and church affiliation of the Brennecke family and other families who came from Germany. Volume Two states that the Village of Rhüden in Germany and St. Martin's Church in Rhüden were Zion's predecessors. Much of the information for Volume Two was contributed by Rudolph "Rudy" J. Nothdurft, Jr. who traced his ancestry to St. Martin's Church in Klein Rhüden, Germany. That Volume also states that it's safe to assume that Fluegge's and Kasten's were in that same village.
Because of later research (Rudy Nothdurft and Norman Brennecke) we know that all these German settlers did not come from St. Martin's Church in Klein Rhüden, Germany. The August and Wilhelmine Brennecke family came from St. Martin's Church, Sebexen, Germany - about 8 miles from Klein Rhüden. Page 18 of Volume Two states "It is a solid fact that they lived in an area no larger than Cape Girardeau County." Just a "few" of the interesting readings from Volume Two are: Origin of the "Church of St. Martin's" (page 4); "Marching from the new church" and "Supt. Lutterloh from Seesen had the honor of carrying a silver plated communion can which to this day belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran congregation" (page 9). Also, from Volume Two (page 18 - the last two sentences) tells us "The first of this community to come to America were scouts to inspect for safety, fertility of soil, resources and the acceptance of the English populace." Since August and Wilhelmine Brennecke came to America in 1844, we wonder if they "may" have been part of the "scouts" mentioned above. I believe the August Brennecke family, as well as others coming to America, were among the molding circumstances which would have an outgrowth in the pilgrimage to America, and the founding of a church in Missouri with countless descendants up to the present time.
Volume Two states that many of the founders of Zion Methodist Church began to settle in this area in the mid 1840s. Some members of the August Brennecke family were soon found in the records of the Church; however, there is no early record of August and his wife Wilhelmine even though they arrived in the area in 1844, and the Church was officially organized on June 5, 1847. The Church does not have baptismal records prior to 1848 or other early records (only the founders of the Church). There is a baptismal record of my grandfather's brother, Franklin (Frank) Brennecke (Chapter J) (son of August and Wilhelmine Brennecke) born February 15, 1848, and baptized October 4, 1848. Another record shows my grandfather, Johann Jacob Brennecke, (Chapter K) born July 14, 1853, and baptized November 16, 1853. Frank and Jacob had an older brother, George H. Brennecke (Chapter I), who was born August 10, 1845, but his baptism is not recorded as they were not keeping baptismal records that early. I believe my great grandparents - August and Wilhelmine Brennecke - were members of Zion Methodist Church or they would not have had the two children mentioned above baptized there.
Records do show that many of August's children were married in Zion Methodist Church, their children baptized there, and those children later became members of the Church. The records also show that August Brennecke was a member of the Trustees at the time of his death in October 1856 and was buried in the Church Cemetery. His son, George Heinrich Brennecke (Chapter B), died two months earlier (August 7, 1856) and they were the first two buried in the Cemetery. A son, Wilhelm Brennecke (Chapter E) and known as Capt. Wm. F. Brennecke) was also a trustee at Zion's Church and served until August 1874.
The research in Germany in 1986 on the August Brennecke family by Carl Penzel, Norman and Marlene Brennecke, and her father Josef Rief, made many great "finds" - especially the original records of the patriarch August, his wife Wilhelmine, and their first five children; these were found in St. Martin's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sebexen, Germany. They also found at St. Georg's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Willensen, Germany (a short distance from Sebexen), the marriage record of H. August Brennecke (Chapter A) and his wife; he was the first child of August and Wilhelmine. The records there also showed the birth and infant deaths of H. August Brennecke's first two children. This first child of August and Wilhelmine Brennecke did not come to America.
Both the St. Martin's Church, Sebexen, and St. Georg's Evangelical Lutheran, Willensen, Germany, are in the Osterode Church District. This can be found on a map (Germany) southwest of the Hartz Mountain near Goettingen. It has been somewhat difficult now to understand the churches in Germany in the early 1800s; however, a resident of Jackson, Mo., who was born in Germany and came to America as an adult, told me recently there were only the Evangelische Lutheran Churches and (Katholische) Catholic Church in the Kingdom of Hannover, Germany, in those years.

In Volume One, page 30 of the above mentioned book, the Rev. Frederick Stoffregen, pastor of Zion Methodist Church 1859-1862, tells of his being raised in Germany and coming to America when he was twenty years of age. Rev. Stoffregen quotes his father that they were "Protestant (Evangelische) Lutheran". From all research and records, there is no doubt that our ancestors came from a Evangelische background.

Also, from the records, we know that many of the early members of Zion Methodist Church came from St. Martin's Church in Klein Rhüden, Germany, and St. Martin's Church in Sebexen, Germany, and those names have not changed.

Two members of the present Zion United Methodist Church, who had helped to write and publish the two volumes previously mentioned, stated that older members (now deceased) had passed along information that the first German Church leader was Lutheran and came from St. Louis to help the charter members start "Zion Lutheran Church". He arrived indicating signs of partaking of "spirits" and this offended the members.

Karl Hollman was a young German Methodist missionary from St. Louis and first arrived in 1846. His preaching inspired the members and they decided to go German Methodist. A majority of those early immigrants remained in the Zion Methodist Church, but some moved on. The families of Tuschoff, Wilkening, Ludwig, Schreiner, and others went to the Old Appleton area where a Methodist Church had also been organized.

The Rev. Don Kuehle recently found from a 1860 Census record that some other families of Zion Methodist Church were lured to a new frontier and free land in Le Sueur Co., Minnesota, in the mid 1850s. On March 3, 1849, Congress established the Territory of Minnesota. In 1851, the Indians gave up their rights to more than 28 million acres of land west of the Mississippi River by the Treaty of Mendota and the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux. Congress officially opened this area to settlement that same year. Thousands of settlers moved into the rich new territory, and on May 11, 1858, Congress admitted Minnesota as the 32nd state. Those families who were originally part of the Zion Methodist Church and had gone to Minnesota were Vasterling, Boettcher, Antonsen, Schlueter, and Kuehle. Volume Two states that these families had moved from the Gordonville area but did not know until recently that they were in Minnesota. These families had again embarked on a new experience.

Goodspeed's "History of Southeast Missouri" confirms that the first organization of "German" Methodists in Southeast Missouri was probably the Church at Gordonville, and it states their First Quarterly Conference was held on June 5, 1847 - the date they were "officially" organized. Lillian Nothdurft, in her book "Folklore and Early Customs of Southeast Missouri", states "The congregation was formed in 1846, and was, until World War I, a German church with all services conducted in the German language. When the U. S. was at war with Germany, however, it was not very popular for anyone to speak German, so the church changed to English."

Over the years the Zion Methodist Church produced four ministers (all that we are aware of) from the ranks of its membership. They were: Rev. William Brennecke (son of Wilhelm/Capt. Wm. F. Brennecke), (Chapter E) Rev. Charles Neumeyer (Chapter H), Rev. Martin Neumeyer (Chapter H), and Rev. Frank Neumeyer (Chapter H). From the records of that church, many children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of August Brennecke were baptized and married in Zion Methodist Church of Gordonville, and many are still members of that Church.

The name Zion Methodist Church was changed in 1968 to "Zion United Methodist Church" when the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethern Church merged. For more information about the Zion Methodist Church/Zion United Methodist Church and those early immigrants to the Gordonville Area who became founders of the Church, as well as many, many others whose names did not get into the records of that early church, read Volumes One and Two of "Marching to Zion - A Descriptive and Pictorial History of Zion United Methodist Church."

By: Doris Brennecke Davault, Youngest Granddaughter of Jacob Brennecke (Son of August and Wilhelmine Brennecke) (Information for the above article was taken from Volumes One and Two of the books "Marching to Zion - A Descriptive and Pictorial History of Zion United Methodist Church" published by Zion United Methodist Church; 1977 "Brennecke Family History" by Herbert Schaper and Doris Brennecke Davault; 1988 "Brennecke Family History" by Norman Brennecke and other research by him; research by Rudolph "Rudy" Nothdurft, Jr.; 1860 Census Records of Le Sueur Co., MN; stories from present members of Zion United Methodist Church; recent correspondence by Cheryl Brennecke from Germany; and a Jackson resident originally from Germany)

AUGUST BRENNECKE'S ESTATE

From Probate Court Records, Cape Girardeau County, Box 35, Jackson, Missouri
Notes were taken January 18,1974 by Bernard J. Schaper and Herbert Schaper

Notes on Records Appointing Administratix and First Settlement

August Brennecke, Sr. died on 8 October 1856. His will, No. 717, Box No. 35, was not found. The probate judge said it probably was misplaced and probably could be found among other records. On 21 October, 1856, Wilhelmine Brennecke, widow of August Brennecke, Sr., was appointed administratrix (Document Labeled 5).

Notes from the first settlement of the estate of August Brennecke, filed 25 December 1859, regard boarding, clothing, schooling, and maintaining three minor children of the deceased for years 1857, 1858, and 1859, to wit: Jacob, age 6 years; Frank, age 11 years; George, age 14 years.

(Comment - This land lies about two miles northeast of Tilsit and about two miles southwest of Jackson. Read more about this land on Page 16. Some of the land is part of the original 160 acres; he had, however, sold some of the original land and had also purchaed other land. The 1977 and 1988 Brennecke History books state he had 220 acres at the time of his death, but we believe this is in error as the land totals 320 acres. Two letters from the oldest son (August H.) in Germany states 320 acres.)

Notes on Bond of Wilhelmine Brennecke,

administratrix of estate of August Brennecke, Sr., deceased,

filed and approved 21 October 1856:

Bondsmen: Frederick Brennecke and Jacob Kneibert (Document labeled 6).
The names of the heirs of the deceased August Brennecke are:

Also found in Box 35 was an appraisal list of personal property of August Brennecke, receipts, and an itemized list of prices received, and to whom sold when this personal property was sold on public sale.

WILHELMINE BRENNECKE'S ESTATE

LAST WILL (TESTAMENT) OF Wilhelmine Brennecke, Wife of August Brennecke

The original copy of this will was found by Clarence J. Brennecke among the personal papers of her son, Jacob Brennecke. (Document labeled 7)

The eldest son, August in Germany, Frank, and Henry's children received no portion of her estate, possibly because of earlier borrowings. In two letters dated July 11, 1883, and August 28, 1883, written in German by the oldest son August who remained in Germany, he complains about the delay in getting his share of the inheritance.

What follows is the transcription of Wilhelmine's Will. The Letters Testamentary is attached to the front of the Will.

Letters Testamentary

State of Missouri )
Cape Girardeau County)

The State of Missouri to all Persons to Whom these Presents hall Come:Greeting.

Know Ye, That the last Will and Testament of Wilhelmine Brennecke deceased, late of Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, hath in due form of law, been exhibited, proved, and recorded, in the office of the Probate Court of Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, a copy of which is hereunto annexed; and inasmuch as it appears that William Brennecke and Freidrich Brennecke have been appointed Executors in and by the said Last Will and Testament, to execute the same, and to the end that the property of the said Testator may be preserved for those who shall appear to have a legal right or interest therein, and that the said Last Will and Testament may be executed according to the request and instruction of said testator, we do hereby authorize them the said William Brennecke and Friedrich Brennecke as such Executors, to collect and secure all and singular, the goods and chattels, rights and credits, which were of the said Wilhelmine Brennecke at the time of her death, in whosever hands or possession they may be found: and to fulfill all such duties as may be enjoined upon them by said Last Will and Testament, so far as there shall be property and the law charge them; and in general to do and perform all other acts which are now and may be hereafter required of them by law.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I, Henry R. English, Clerk of the Probate Court in and for said county have hereunto signed my name, and affixed the seal of said Court, at Office in Cape Girardeau this 6th day of April A.D. 1874.
Henry R. English
Clerk of Probate Court

State of Missouri)
County of Cape Girardeau)In the Recorder's Office
I, Nathan C. Harrison, Clerk of the Circuit Court, and ex-officio Recorder within and for the County aforesaid, do certify that the instrument of writing hereto attaached, with the Certificate theron, was filed for Record in said office on the third day of May, 1875, and that the same is duly Recorded in said office in Book Vol 7, for recording Deeds, at pages 10-11-12.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court. Done at office at Jackson this third day of May, 1875.

Last Will and Testament of Wilhelmine Brennecke

Note: The date of the Will is May 2, 1872. There must be an error in dates. From the gravestone of Wilhelmine Brennecke in Zion Methodist Cemetery, Gordonville, the date of her death was March 20, 1871. Also note that this is transcribed as read, with run on sentences, missing punctuation, and misspellings.

County of Cape Girardeau, State of Missouri, May 2d, 1872, In the name of God Aman. I Wilhelmine Brennecke being of sound and disposing mind and memory knows the uncertainty of life to ordain my Earthly affairs, do make this the following my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made first. It is my will and desire that after my death to be beried in a deasent Christian like manner, that all my just debts and funeral expense be first paid out of my Estate, that is personal. Second, I will and bequeath to my son Jacob Brennecke the following tract or parcels of land situated in the County of Cape Girardeau State of Missouri towit, the East half of the North East quarter of the North West quarter and the South West quarter of the North East quarter of section sixteen in Township thirty-one North of Range twelve East containing sixty acres to have and to hold the same with all the immunities preveleges and appurtenances thereto belonging forever provided that he pays to my Executor hereinafter named two hundred dollars lawful money of the United States, also I give and bequeath unto him the said Jacob Brennecke the yearlin Colt that I now have on such other horse as he may select in lieu thereof in case it should die or get crippled also one cow, one bed and beding, but in case the said Jacob Brennecke should die without bodaly issue then his bequeaths shall be equally divided among all my heirs, third, It is my will and desire that all the residue of my Estate whatsover descriptions the same may be excepting the beding of which I have not disposed of heretofore for their disposal I have instructed my son William Brennecke to be equally divided by my Executor hereinafter named among my heirs as follows towit: Frederich Brennecke, William Brennecke, Louis Meyer formerly Brennecke, Charles Brennecke, Caroline Neumeyer formerly Brennecke, George Brennecke and Jacob Brennecke to share and share alike my son August Brennecke residing in Germany and Frank Brennecke having all ready received advansements heretofore suficient for their share in my Estate also my two grand daughters Wilhelmine and Caroline Brennecke heirs of my son Henry G. Brennecke deceased are excluded as their father said Henry G. Brennecke has received in his lifetime advansements suficient of his share in my Estate, excepting in case of a death of my son Jacob as above provided then of his bequeaths an equal division shall be had and lastly I hereby nomenate and appoint my sons William Brennecke and Frederick Brennecke my sole Executors of this my last will and testament, given under my hand and seal this the day and year first above written, Wilhelmine (X her mark) Brennecke Seal Signed and sealed and delivered in the presents of us the undersigned witnesses to this the last will and testament of Wilhelmine Brennecke by her so declaired and at her request and in her presence, C.H. Friederichs Thos E. English, State of Missouri, County of Cape Girardeau In vacation of the Probate Court Be it Remembered that on this 21d day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy four before me the undersigned Clerk of the Probate Court held in and for the County of Cape Girardeau and State of Missouri personally appeared C.H. Friederichs who being duly sworn upon his oath deposes and says that he was present and saw Wilhelmine Brennecke sign the forgoing instrument purporting to be the last will and testament of her the said Wilhelmine Brennecke and heard her publish and declare the same to be her last will and testament and that at the time of signing the same, by making her mark thereto the said Wilhelmine Brennecke was of sound and disposing mind and more than twenty one years of age and that this deponent and Thomas E. English the other attesting witness subscribed their names thereto as witnesses to the same in the presence of the testator and of each other, and at the request of the said Wilhelmine Brennecke, all interlineations and errasures made before signing C.H. Friederichs, Sworn to and subscribed before me the undersigned Clerk of the Probate Court the day and year first aforesaid Henry R. English Clerk, State of Missouri County of Cape Girardeau ss, Be it remembered that on this 23d day of March AD 1874 before me the undersigned Clerk of the Probate Court within and for said County personally appeared William Flentge who first being by me duly sworn on his oath deposes and says that he has examined the signature of Thomas E. English to the annexed last Will and Testament of Wilhelmine Brennecke deceased: that he was personally acquainted with said Thomas E. English now deceased and particularly with his hand writing, that he has frequently seen said Thomas E. English unto his name and that he verily believes the signature to the said annexed Last Will and Testament of Wilhelmine Brennecke deceased is genuine and in the own hand writing of said Thomas E. English decd Wm Flentge, Sworn to and subscribed before me this 23d day of March AD 1874, Henry R. English Clk, Prob Ct. State of Missouri County of Cape Girardeau I Henry R. English Clerk of the Probate Court within and for said County hereby certify and declare that the proof and probate of the annexed last Will and Testament of Wilhelmine Brennecke deceased is by me deemed sufficient to establish it and entitle it to be entered of record. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal. Done at Office in Jackson this 23d day of March AD 1874, Henry R. English Clerk Seal Received for Record and Recorded March 23d AD 1874 Henry R. English Clerk.

State of Missouri )
County of Cape Girardeau) ss
I Henry R. English Clerk of the Probate Court within and for said County hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true, perfect and complete copy of the Last Will and Testament of Wilhelmine Brennecke deceased together with the proof and probate thereon made and done, as fully as the same appeared to me of record in my Office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal. Done at Office in Jackson this 24th day of March AD 1874 Henry R. English, Clerk

Notes on Final Settlement of Estate of Wilhelmine Brennecke, 13 July 1875

Note: Jacob Brennecke received, in addition to his inheritance of $110.74, a horse, a cow, and one bed and bedding of his choice. Jacob lived with his mother until her death. All the other children had left home. This extra inheritance probably was compensation for taking care of his mother.

ORIGIN OF THE NAME

The name Brennecke contains two German root words, "bren" translating to "burn" and "ecke" meaning "corner". Thus "burning corner" or "burnt corner". One German suggested it referred to a corner used for burning, ie, a "burn corner", another that "brenn" and "eke" would mean "little fire".

The Will of Carl Walter August Brennecke

(Translation by Josef Rief, Norman Brennecke, and Franz Schimpf)

Carl was the bachelor younger brother of our patriarch, August Brennecke. Carl died in Sebexen; the designated heir, Fritz, was the son of their mutual brother, Ernst. A copy of the will was sent to America by August's eldest son, who remained in Germany, and is referred to in his September 1871 letter (see Chapter A).

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Written on the Envelope:
Copy of the original
2 - - - - - - -
No. 469

The will of Carl August Brennecke in Sebexen, established according to the current protocol, is placed in this envelope in the presence of the testator and closed with the court seal.

By order of the District Court of Osterode III at the residence of the land-owning farmer Fritz Brennecke in Sebexen, June 12, 1871.

The Incumbent
District Court Assessor
Bethe

As the result of a summons by an express messenger to meet with the undersigned as soon as possible to witness the last will of Carl Brennecke, the same was immediately transacted.

Carl Brennecke was present at the above mentioned home, in a chamber next to the living room, lying on the bed and apparently sick, but conversation showed him to be conscious and in full possession of his mental powers. He said he wanted to make his last will and stated the following for the record:

1.My estate consists of 4-1/2 morgens* of cultivated land which I own, a meadow, and other land. Also a part of a marriage dowry promised by my late brother Ernst consisting of 215 Thalers (two hundred fifteen Thalers) ----- and a ----------------.
* [About 9 acres.]

2.I name now my nephew Fritz Brennecke, the son of my late brother Ernst, in whose house I am at present, as my sole heir.

The 4-1/2 morgens of land which I own were in earlier times under the feudal law* which has been dissolved. I don't know if some contingency still exists. If not, then my named nephew should also be sole heir to this piece of land.

* [The feudal law provided certain men the right to use land in return for a fee paid to the feudal lord. This right was passed on to the eldest son surviving at the time of death of the user. When the feudal "Lehen" law ended around 1831, a transition period was provided that lasted until the deaths of the eldest and second eldest sons. Carl Brennecke was not certain if the right must be passed by feudal succession or could be passed to the heir of his choosing.]

3.The fee on this land has not been paid and the debt will go to my nephew.

4.My clothing I place at the disposal of my nephew to be distributed as I have told him.

These, my wishes, shall be considered as my codicil and be considered valid as such.

This disposition has been read and acknowledged and an assurance was given that it would be deposited as such against a receipt.

Witnessed by

Bethe

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The following occurred at the District Court of Osterode III, Harz, at the court day held at Westerhof* on 6 September 1871.

* [Osterode Court was periodically held at Westhof for the convenience of those west of Osterode.]

According to a summons, the farmer Fritz Brennecke of Sebexen appeared for the opening of the last will of Carl August Brennecke of Sebexen who had died according to a death notice. After witnessing the undisturbed seal on the will the last words were read to him. The concerned asked for a copy and was promised